The previous Oakland Raiders’ regime reportedly had planned to move Michael Huff from safety to cornerback.
The new Oakland regime may be forced to make the move.
One of Oakland’s thinnest position got even thinner Sunday when starter Shawntae Spencer suffered a foot injury. Monday, Oakland coach Dennis Allen said it is significant.
In the opener, fellow starter Ronald Bartell went on the injured reserve with a broken shoulder blade. He can come back in about six weeks. Pat Lee is starting for Bartell. Joselio Hanson, the team’s nickel corner, could move up to start for Spencer.
Yet, I think the Raiders should consider moving Huff to cornerback. He was a cornerback at Texas. The Raiders have more dopth at safety than cornerback. I think a combination of Huff and Lee and Hanson as the top three cornerbacks is better than anything else the Raiders can do right now.
Either way, Oakland, which is 0-2 for the first time in five years, is in a challenging spot. The Raiders face Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan in their next three games.
There is very little available talent on the street, Chris Carr could be considered, but he wouldn’t make a huge impact.
It will likely sting the Raiders to see 2011 third-round pick DeMarcus Van Dyke wearing a Pittsburgh uniform in Oakland on Sunday. The Steelers signed him after the Raiders gave up on him early this month. Van Dyke is far from a finished product, but you’d think the Raiders would like to have him right now.
In addition to Spencer, Allen said right tackle Khalif Barnes suffered a significant groin injury. Willie Smith, claimed off waivers earlier this month, will start at right tackle.
